Top: New Beginnings Christian Church pastor Joe Sorce greets Sandra Norman of Brick at the food pantry. Below: Volunteer Rob Robinson of Whiting, fills an order at the pantry. / MARY FRANK/Staff Photographer

Volunteer Carol Kokoth of Brick, with sons Shane, 14, (left) and Willie, 18, packs groceries for the needy at the New Beginnings Christian Church Food Pantry in Brick. / MARY FRANK/Staff Photographer

About the Food PantrySince 2006, New Beginnings Christian Church has operated the Community Outreach Food Pantry, 236 Brick Blvd. The pantry assists local families each month by providing free groceries. It is open Tuesday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, call 732-451-0779.

BRICK — Superstorm Sandy has complicated an already difficult situation for many people who rely on Community Outreach Food Pantry at New Beginnings Christian Church.

The economy was bad enough to begin with and now this is icing on the cake, New Beginnings Pastor Joe Sorce said Tuesday. We are seeing a lot of first time people, this storm has effected everyone. This is the new normal.

Brick was one of the hardest-hit areas by the storm. Homes in the township's bayfront section sustained major flood damage, while at least 110 houses were destroyed on the township portion of the northern barrier island, officials have said.

In the month following the hurricane, Sorce said there has been a dramatic rise in the number of people using the food pantry.

We have operated a food pantry since 2006, and over the last couple of weeks we have been very busy feeding people, he said. We usually feed between 800 and 1,000 families a month  now, because of the storm, we are looking at between 1,200 and 1,400 families a month. The demand keeps growing.

About 20 residents waiting in line Tuesday said they were thankful for the food pantry, but refused to give their names. Each person who comes to the pantry receives a shopping cart full of food including bread, canned vegetables, personal hygiene items and drinks.

We are supposed to give one shopping cart per month, we dont turn anyone away if someone comes back, Sorce said. We make sure that we do our best to serve them.

Though some residents returned to their storm-ravaged homes, their cooking options are limited, he said.

Some of the people who have returned to their homes have lost their kitchen because most of their first floor was destroyed, so we have been giving items that can be microwaved like soups, Sorce said.

Each day, approximately 20 volunteers sort and distribute donations to people in need.

We are very blessed to have what we have, said Sherley Casseus, 34, of Howell, who volunteers at the food bank once a week. It makes you feel good to be here and give back to the community.

Scott Simons and his wife Dara have been helping at the food pantry for the last couple of weeks. The couple is from Tulsa, Oklahoma and have been in the area assisting with the recovery efforts.

Its great to be able to give back, Scott Simons said, as he stocked shelves Tuesday at the food pantry. These people have been through so much, I just wanted to come and help out.